The
Federation has introduced several training initiatives. The
Certificate of Lubricant Competence has been aimed primarily
at new entrants but equally it will be appropriate for all
non-technical personnel within member companies. Our previous
Vice President Education and Training, Hugh Dowding, MD Polartech
Ltd was the driving force behind this development, now being
carried forward by Mike Day, MD of K S Paul Products Ltd our
new VP Education and Training. The development work involved
in getting this venture operational took many months of behind
the scene work.
The course
material is being provided on a modular basis. There are nine
separate one-day training sessions, each linked to the next
subject being covered, and the overall aim is to provide a
complete "beginners" cradle to grave, i.e. exploration to
final disposal of the used product, coverage on the subject
of lubricants and lubrication; even tribology is covered.
Member company personnel will in the main be providing the
speakers for each topic on offer, with the programme being
controlled for continuity purposes by the UKLA Secretariat.
The course is designed to offer delegates the basics of what
lubricants are, how the are formulated, the different types
being offered to users, why there are different requirements
and most importantly the Safety Health and Environmental issues
lubricants and greases create.
SUBJECT
AREAS COVERED BY THE COURSE MATERIAL ARE: -
1.
EXPLORATION & REFINING
2.
BASE OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
3.
BASIC TRIBOLOGY
4.
LUBRICANT ADDITIVES
5.
AUTOMOTIVE LUBRICANTS
6.
INDUSTRIAL LUBRICANTS
7.
GREASES
8.
METALWORKING
9.
HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
10.
CERTIFICATION SESSION
1.
EXPLORATION & REFINING SUBJECT MATTER: - Covering the
basic geology and formation of oil bearing strata, the geographical
distribution of known oil reserves, the history of exploration,
the formation of the Major Oil companies and a brief Industry
history, refining and the progression of refinery technology
from initial techniques through to current trends to ID technology.
2.
BASE OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS SUBJECT MATTER: - Concentrating
on the way refining and crude oil origin define the characteristics
and properties of the resulting base oil and their subsequent
best use. Covering areas such as Pour Point, Volatility, Oxidation
Stability and the advantages and disadvantages of various
properties to different types of blended lubricants.
3.
BASIC TRIBOLOGY SUBJECT MATTER: - This course element
is designed to give a basic understanding of concepts such
as ElastoHydroDynamic Lubrication, Boundary Lubrication and
Extreme Pressure conditions, perhaps extending to cover Anti-Wear,
Fretting Corrosion and Tool Life in the context of the later
course elements.
4.
LUBRICANT ADDITIVES SUBJECT MATTER: - An explanation of
the basic Additives used in the various categories of lubricants,
their chemistry at a simplistic level, their function and
their performance in respect of the Tribology covered in the
previous element. This should not only relate to Additives
used in Automotive and basic Industrial lubricants but should
draw parallels with speciality areas such as Grease and Metalworking.
5.
AUTOMOTIVE LUBRICANTS SUBJECT MATTER: - An enormous topic
covering not only engine oils for both gasoline and diesel
engines but transmission and hydraulic applications in addition.
Following on from the Additive element this session should
highlight the application of the different Additive chemistries,
relating both types and treat rates to levels of performance
and specifications. The history of specifications up to and
including the latest ACEA performance levels should be covered.
6.
INDUSTRIAL LUBRICANTS SUBJECT MATTER: - A comprehensive
look at Hydraulic and Circulatory, Gear Oils, Open Gears,
Slideway Oils etc. including particularly the importance of
viscosity, and Additive selection and relating strongly to
both the Tribology and Additive elements. Basic guidance on
selection of the correct lubricant and the importance of the
Lubrication Survey and Rationalisation to be included.
7.
GREASES SUBJECT MATTER: - A science in itself, the sphere
of use of grease, its different manufacturing considerations,
Additive types and the basic terminology's of Consistency,
Penetration, Drop Point etc. should all be covered.
8.
METALWORKING SUBJECT MATTER: - Metalworking Fluids have
become an increasingly important part of the product portfolio
of most lubricant companies. This element should explore the
basic differences in chemistry and application between neat
and watermix fluids, should explain emulsions and emulsifiers
at a simplistic level, should cover the Additive technology
and different tribological implications when related to the
previous elements and should give a thumbnail sketch of the
industries which form the potential customer base.
9.
HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL SUBJECT MATTER: - Covering
the evolution of the Health and Safety of ingredients, lead,
sodium nitrite etc. in various categories of lubricants moving
on to later issues such as biocides, middle order metals and
discussing environmental legislation and trends. During this
session other aspects are also covered relating to bio-degradeable
lubricants, vegetable and ester basestocks and fluids used
in the environment.
10.
EXAMINATION SESSION: - There will be a final session,
which will review the elements covered and require delegates
to answer questions covering each module. The session will
also include awarding the UKLA Certificate of Lubricant Competence,
for those who reach a required standard of competence. The
basis of awarding the UKLA Certificate Lubricants Competence,
will be one third of the overall mark from attendance of each
module, one third from the marks from each module's exam and
one third from the final Examination session.
UKLA Member have been circulated with details of the current
programme.
We are
now in the second year of the programme, but non-members are
welcome to attend, but places are allocated on a first come
basis. Maximum numbers for each module are set at around 30-35
delegates, and we currently do have availability for ten or
so extra attendees. If demand requires we can arrange a second
programme to run along side the existing one.
Please
contact the Secretariat if you are interested in attending.
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